Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary visits Philippines to strengthen Enhanced Partnership [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 August 2023.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will visit the Philippines and meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.
- Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will visit the Philippines to discuss the new UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership
- Cleverly will meet Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and visit the Philippines Coast Guard
- visit continues engagement with Indo-Pacific partners following commitment in Integrated Review Refresh to build enduring partnerships
The UK is set to deepen its relationship with the Philippines, as the Foreign Secretary travels to Manila for trade and security talks in the region.

In Manila, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo to discuss how to further strengthen the UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership. The partnership was launched in December 2021 to increase UK-Philippines collaboration on key areas including climate and environment, trade, maritime security and foreign policy.

Since then, the UK has launched British Investment Partnerships (BIP) to support resilient growth and held an inaugural maritime dialogue on marine conservation and maritime security.

The Foreign Secretary will also visit the Philippines Coast Guard to discuss cooperation on maritime security, counter terrorism and environmental protection.

He will also reiterate the necessity of upholding the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the interests of global stability and the protection of maritime trade routes.

Around 60% of global shipping passes through the Indo-Pacific region, directly benefiting households and businesses in the UK and worldwide.

As set out in the Integrated Review Refresh, the Indo-Pacific is of critical importance to the UK’s future security and to the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the UK’s economy. With over half of global growth set to come from the Indo-Pacific by 2050, the region is home to thriving economies, cutting-edge science and tech as well as being on the frontline of global challenges like climate change. The UK is working with the Philippines and other likeminded partners to safeguard security and prosperity across the region.

Ahead of the visit Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

“I’m delighted to visit the Philippines for the first time, a place which shares common values and interests with the UK.

“We are expanding our areas of collaboration by growing our trade and investment through British Investment Partnerships and deepening cooperation on security, maritime and climate.”

The UK-Philippines partnership is working for both countries, rooted in our shared commitment to safeguarding freedom and democracy, and ensuring our future prosperity. The visit will be the Foreign Secretary’s third time travelling to southeast Asia in his role, following travel to Singapore in 2022 and Indonesia in July 2023 for the ASEAN Foreign Minister’s meeting.

It also follows his Indo-Pacific tour to Japan and the Pacific Islands earlier in the year, where the Foreign Secretary reiterated the importance of securing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Background
- the UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership was launched in 2021. Read more about the work taking place under the Partnership including dialogues on trade and investment, climate change and the launch of British Investment Partnerships in the Philippines.
- during the Foreign Secretary’s visit he will sign a Statement of Intent to upgrade the UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership alongside Foreign Secretary Manalo.
August 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State visits 2025 Open Championship host [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 28 August 2023.

Secretary of State hears plans for the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 2025

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today (Monday 28 August) visited Royal Portrush to welcome the return of the world-renowned The Open Championship, in 2025. The Secretary of State heard the club’s exciting plans for 2025 and also enjoyed teeing off on the famous course, following in the footsteps of golfing greats such as 2019 Open winner Shane Lowry.

2025 will be the third time that Royal Portrush has hosted the major competition, following the most recent success four years ago. The Secretary of State’s visit to the North Coast highlighted the crucial role of tourism and sport and their contribution to NI’s economy. He also praised the efforts of local stakeholders who were instrumental in ensuring the Open will return to Portrush.

The 148th Open, which took place just a few years ago, was one of the fastest – selling events in the Championship’s history. With 237,000 spectators attending in Portrush, it broke records as the best-attended Open outside of St Andrew’s. The Open also generated £106 million of economic benefit for Northern Ireland.

Speaking during his visit to Royal Portrush, the Secretary of State said:

“There has been an incredible effort by the local community and various bodies to bring The Open back to Portrush in 2025, and I am confident that it will further consolidate Northern Ireland as a competitive golf tourism destination while boosting the economy.

“Royal Portrush is an iconic venue that attracts local players and golf’s elite, and events like the Open put a global spotlight on Northern Ireland.

“With exciting events such as The Open, the future is bright for Northern Ireland tourism.”

General Manager of Royal Portrush John Lawler also shared his excitement for the 2025 Open Championship:

“We are proud to host the Open Championship again in 2025. The Open is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and to see it return to Northern Ireland and Royal Portrush so soon, is a recognition of the wonderful work done by all involved in 2019.

“The event provided a festival atmosphere in 2019 and drew spectators from golfing and non-golfing backgrounds.

“We are excited that the eyes of the world will once again be on Royal Portrush, the Causeway Coast & Glens Area and Northern Ireland and we look forward to welcoming the world’s best golfers back to challenge themselves on the Dunluce Course.”

The latest figures also show the surging popularity of golf within Northern Ireland. In 2022, there were 762,575 bookings made by visitors at the 75 golf clubs in Northern Ireland. This is compared to 587,199 bookings made in 2019 – a 30% increase.

August 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : MINUSMA’s withdrawal takes place amid a deteriorating context of terrorist violence and human rights violations – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 August 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Mali.

Thank you, President. I thank SRSG Wane for his briefing and I pay tribute to the courage of all UN personnel in Mali, who continue to face constant threats. I also thank Ms Abouya for sharing her valuable perspective with us today.

The complexity of MINUSMA’s withdrawal is unprecedented and takes place amid a deteriorating context of terrorist violence and human rights violations and abuses, including an upward trend in conflict-related sexual violence.

The Council mandated MINUSMA to conduct a safe and orderly withdrawal, with the objective of completing this process by 31 December 2023. We continue to believe that the Council should stand ready to revise this timetable if needed. A rushed withdrawal that imperils the 2015 Algiers Agreement and puts peacekeepers’ lives at risk will have security implications for the whole region. The recent ceasefire violations in Ber demonstrate the pressing need for meaningful, structured dialogue between all parties to the Peace Agreement prior to the handover of MINUSMA sites, in particular in Kidal region.

President, the UN continues to have a formal and critical role in supporting the Peace Agreement in Mali. We welcome the Secretary-General’s transition plan, which is an important step to help guide efforts to preserve the legacy of the mission and its achievements over the last decade.

We call on the UN to redouble its efforts to support meaningful consultations and mediation between all parties to the Peace Agreement, and we urge all parties to engage in dialogue in good faith. To deliver the UN’s ongoing role in support of the peace process, the UK supports the continued presence of a UN entity dedicated to supporting an inclusive peace process in Mali.

President, we strongly urge the Transitional Authorities to engage with the UN’s proposals for ongoing support, for the benefit of the Malian people. The UN should accelerate consultations with Mali on a detailed strategy for the future of UN support to the Peace Agreement and other key tasks, including delivering on the political transition and the protection and the promotion of human rights.

Finally, as we’ve said before in this Council, the Russian mercenary group Wagner is directly linked to human rights atrocities in Mali, including the systematic use of conflict-related sexual violence. As illustrated by recent events in Russia, they are part of the problem, not the solution in Mali and beyond.

August 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Women’s sport to be boosted by new investment scheme [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 28 August 2023.

Women’s sport investment is set to be boosted by a new scheme launched by the Department for Business and Trade, the Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator.

In association with Deloitte’s Sports Business Group and supported by the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, the new initiative will run for a year starting from autumn 2023.

It will bring UK-based women’s sports rightsholders – leagues, teams, competitions and events – who are seeking investment together with industry experts and sports investors.

The new programme will provide a series of sessions offering market insights, connections and networking events alongside comprehensive mentoring for rightsholders who are looking for investment.

Elite women’s sport competitions such as the FA Women’s Super League and Netball Super League are among those which could benefit.

Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said:

We want to make the UK the world’s top destination for women’s sport investment, and with this new scheme we can build on the Lionesses’ fantastic World Cup run to help attract investment in women’s sports’ next success stories.

This is an open goal for women’s sports leagues, teams and competitions looking for backing and will give rightsholders the tools they need to secure investment and drive growth.

The application process is open to rightsholders of any UK-based women’s sports leagues, teams, competitions or events aiming to attract investment and boost their growth.

It is also being made available at no cost to taxpayers, with all speakers and mentors providing their time and expertise on a pro bono basis and the scheme being delivered through DBT’s partnership with Deloitte, who are providing event space and facilitating several of the scheme sessions.

Investment in women’s sport is growing rapidly and the popularity of the Lionesses’ run to the final of the Women’s Football World Cup demonstrated the scale of the opportunity available, in an industry expected to be worth over £1 billion a year by 2030.

Lisa O’Keefe, Secretary General for the IWG on Women and Sport, said:

The Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator is a fantastic initiative for the UK and one which the IWG is very pleased to support.

This year has been exciting for women’s sport around the globe, and we’ve seen some superb performances on the field of play and fanbase growth off it. The standard has risen, and the increased long-term investment has undoubtedly played a part in this.

The Accelerator pilot programme will help women’s sports teams and leagues capitalise on this opportunity and help push forward women’s sport.

August 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Millions awarded to youth services for summer holiday activities [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 28 August 2023.

More than 400 youth services across England have been awarded a portion of the Million Hours Fund to help tackle antisocial behaviour and improve access to opportunities such as cooking lessons, day trips and sporting activities during the summer holidays.
- Over £3.7 million from the Million Hours Fund has been allocated to over 400 youth services across the country
- From Stockport to Scarborough, funding is giving young people more opportunities to access sporting activities, arts projects and skills development over the summer holidays
- Funding demonstrates progress on the Prime Minister’s Anti Social Behaviour Action Plan to build stronger communities and prevent young offending
Over £3.7 million has been distributed by the Government and National Lottery Community Fund over the past few weeks to support young people in antisocial behaviour hotspots and areas of high need as the school gates closed for the summer.

The funding has meant that 427 youth services have been able to stay open for additional hours, and has delivered on the Culture Secretary’s commitment to give young people “someone to talk to, something to do and somewhere to go” outside of school.

Support this summer is delivering on the Prime Minister’s Anti Social Behaviour Action Plan, launched earlier in the year, to help put young people on the right track and become active members of their community.

From AutismAble CIC in South Tyneside, which has received £10,000 to put on activities aimed at encouraging positive choices, to Central Swindon North Parish Council, which is using £6,500 to deliver sport, dance and forestry sessions, funding is bolstering a young person’s life chances across the country.

The investment has also funded youth workers’ support for young people in the areas they already spend time in, such as parks and leisure facilities, with youth workers targeting those at risk of becoming involved in antisocial behaviour.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

Every young person should have access to fun, positive activities, role models they can learn from and opportunities to develop vital life skills.

This funding has allowed over 400 youth centres across the country to provide increased access to sports, arts and skills opportunities. It is helping make sure young people have someone to talk to, something to do and somewhere to go throughout the summer holidays.

The Million Hours Fund is having a significant and wide-ranging impact. It provides activities and opportunities to young people to learn new skills including DJ and music workshops, sport, trips away from home and peer mentoring projects.

In Didcot South, the Didcot TRAIN Youth Project is using funding of over £6,600 to run a six week summer sports programme for 11 to 18-year-olds, consisting of gym and sports sessions. The activities aim to reduce the chances of young people becoming involved in antisocial behaviour and substance abuse during the summer holidays, with the most vulnerable targeted in particular.

In Liverpool, a grant of over £8,400 is allowing Kirkdale Boxing Club to deliver multiple activity sessions including fitness training and food education to vulnerable young people. The project aims to encourage those taking part to build friendships and develop skills, helping reduce the potential for vandalism and violence within the local area.

ST4ND Youth and Community Organisation in Stockport is using its funding of nearly £10,000 to provide 20 detached youth engagement sessions with young people aged 11-25, targeting young people in the spaces they already spend time in. Sessions include activities such as football and pool, and will give young people access to a hot meal.

Phil Chamberlain, England Director at The National Lottery Community Fund, said:

The Million Hours Fund was set up to provide much needed additional youth services and activities, and it’s fantastic to see the positive impact this funding is already having on the lives of young people in England.

Improving the lives of children and young people is a key strategic area for us, and we’d like to thank National Lottery players for helping to make this possible.

Alex McSweeny, Youth Work Delivery Manager at Didcot TRAIN, said:

Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund and DCMS, this funding has allowed us to support vulnerable 11-18-year-olds in the Didcot South area through a programme of weekly sports sessions. Many of our participants have low self-esteem and low aspirations, and our activities help young people to realise their potential and engage in positive activities throughout the school summer holidays.

The Million Hours Fund, announced in March as part of the Prime Minister’s Anti Social Behaviour Action Plan, will support an additional one million hours of positive activities from youth services. The main portion of the fund worth up to £19 million will open for applications in the coming weeks.

This funding comes alongside the Government’s National Youth Guarantee, which will ensure every young person aged between 11 and 18 in England has access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home, and volunteering opportunities by 2025.

Backed by an investment of more than £500 million, this includes the Youth Investment Fund, which will see young people benefit from the building and renovation of up to 300 youth centres in areas where need is high and existing youth provision is low over the next two years. More than £160 million has already been allocated since 2021, with construction or refurbishments underway.

Additional quotes

Nadine Travers, Co-Founder and Strategic Lead at ST4ND, said:

Thanks to this funding we’ve been able to provide a team of youth workers over the summer holidays to reach some of the most marginalised young people in Stockport. Most of our participants are missing from school or are at risk of entering the youth justice system, and this funding has helped to reduce safeguarding risks and improve future educational prospects.

Paul Davis, Chairperson at Kirkdale Boxing Club, said:

With this Million Hours funding, we have managed to make a compelling difference to our community in such a short space of time. Our young users have diversionary activities to empower them to make sustainable positive life choices. We at Kirkdale Boxing Club are sincerely grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and DCMS.
August 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, makes trade push on first visit to Karachi [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 August 2023.

Newly appointed British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, will visit Karachi ahead of the expected arrival of the Royal Navy’s HMS Lancaster.

During her visit, she will be meeting with business, political and community leaders, with a focus on boosting UK-Pakistan trade links. Bilateral trade is currently worth over £4 billion, nearly doubling in 3 years.

The British High Commissioner will also visit HMS Lancaster, which is in Karachi on a routine bilateral Royal Navy-Pakistan Navy training exercise. These exercises are part of a range of ‘Defence Diplomacy’ activities, part of the UK’s commitment to maintaining its well-established defence relationship with Pakistan.

British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, said:

Karachi is one of the best places in Pakistan to discuss business, the country’s beating heart and home to some of the country’s most pioneering industries. I am looking forward to hearing from UK and Pakistani businesses on how we can support each other’s ambitious trade goals.

In a demonstration of the breadth of the UK-Pakistan relationship, I am also looking forward to welcoming HMS Lancaster for a bilateral exercise.

Earlier this year, Pakistan welcomed the British Army’s Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE, to strengthen senior relationships. Every year British Army Officers attend Quetta Staff College, whilst Pakistani Officers attend the UK’s military academies to improve mutual understanding.

Notes to editors
- HMS Lancaster is in Karachi for Ex WHITESTAR, a routine bilateral Royal Navy-Pakistan Navy exercise involving HMS Lancaster, PNS Taimur and PNS Yarmook.
  This is the fourth iteration of the exercise, an important calendar event in maintaining our well-established defence relationship.
- HMS Lancaster’s visit comes one year on from Pakistan’s floods. The UK’s Ministry of Defence was at the forefront of responding to last year’s floods, airlifting in eight boats and ten portable generators at the request of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff to support the relief effort.
August 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak announces new plans so society’s most depraved killers will face life behind bars [August 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 26 August 2023.

Society’s most depraved killers will face life behind bars with no chance of being released, under tough plans announced by the Prime Minister.

Making sure that life means life, judges will be required to hand down mandatory whole life orders to the monsters who commit the most horrific types of murder.

In the latest move to protect the public from the most dangerous offenders, this will place a legal expectation on judges to hand down whole life orders, except in extremely limited circumstances.

By putting this on a legal footing, judges will have greater confidence to hand out whole life orders without a risk of challenge in the Courts of Appeal.

This will mean the depraved killers who carry out vile crimes will be in no doubt that they will be in prison for the rest of their lives.

For the first time, whole life orders will also be the default sentence for any sexually motivated murders. This could have been applied in the recent tragic cases of Zara Aleena and Sabina Nessa, putting their horrific killers in prison for their whole lives.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

I have shared the public’s horror at the cruelty of crimes we have seen recently. People rightly expect that in the most serious cases, there should be a guarantee that life will mean life. They expect honesty in sentencing.

By bringing in mandatory whole life orders for the heinous criminals who commit the most horrific types of murder, we will make sure they never walk free.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk KC, said:

A whole life order will now be the expectation for murderers where the killing involves sexual or sadistic conduct.

This important law change will ensure that the worst of the worst can now expect to spend the rest of their lives in prison.

Today’s announcement builds on the Government’s work to cut crime and build stronger communities, with violent crime down by 46 percent since 2010 and neighbourhood crime by 51 percent.

Since 2019, over 20,000 new police officers have been recruited and 100,000 knives taken off our streets. The Government has also launched a new Anti-Social Behaviour Plan to clamp down on crimes that can terrorise communities for good.

The Government is also making sure the worst offenders face the toughest possible punishment for their crimes.

Serious violent and sexual offenders now serve at least two-thirds of their sentence behind bars, ending halfway release, and the average custodial sentence length is longer across the board meaning that criminals are spending more time in prison.

The Government has also ended the automatic early release of terrorists through the Terrorist Offenders Act 2020 and introduced a 14-year minimum jail term for the most dangerous terrorist offenders through the Counter Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021.

The Government is also committed to looking at changing the law to make sure that people who commit the most horrific crimes face their victims in court and hear first-hand the impact that their crimes have had on them and their families and loved ones.

The Government will legislate for the changes announced today in due course.

August 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of hectares of peatlands set to be restored to help tackle climate change [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 26 August 2023.

Twelve new projects receive £16 million to restore peatlands across England.

Thousands of hectares of peatlands – from the Great North Bog to the Norfolk Broads – are set to be restored with twelve new projects awarded funding today (26 August) to help tackle climate change and recover biodiversity.

The Government is investing over £50 million in peat restoration, building on its pledge to restore approximately 35,000 hectares of peatland in England by the end of this Parliament, and leave the environment in a better state for future generations.

Peatlands are an iconic feature of England’s landscape – often referred to as ‘our national rainforest’. They contain over half of the country’s terrestrial carbon stores and provide a haven for wildlife, as well as supporting better water quality and natural flood management.

However, 87% of England’s peatlands, including lowland peatlands are degraded, damaged and dried out, emitting tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. The funding from government will help restore these environments, in turn helping protect wildlife and restore their critical ability to manage water quality and reduce the risk of flooding.

The projects being awarded funding stretch from Somerset to County Durham and will see iconic peatland habitat, such as the Great North Bog, Dorset Heaths and the Lincolnshire Fens restored.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

Our peatlands hold over half of our terrestrial store of carbon, but with just 1% in a near natural state and soils drying out we must take urgent action to prevent further carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere.

Backed by over £16 million of government funding these new landscape-scale projects will drive collaboration and supercharge peatland restoration across the country to tackle climate change and fight biodiversity loss.

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England said:

Peatlands bring multiple benefits for society and the economy. They are huge carbon stores and also massive water filters that enable rivers to run clear. They comprise vital natural flood defences because of how they store water and on top of that support, they support many iconic wildlife species such as the Curlew. Wild peatlands also contribute to public health and wellbeing through providing wonderful opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Restoring peatland landscapes to a healthy ecological state will ensure these benefits are protected, enhanced and handed on to future generations. I’m delighted these grants will bring more peatlands into the Nature Recovery Network that is so important for delivering our ambition for improving the natural environment in England”.

Government has also recently launched the new £2 million Lowland Agricultural Peat Water Discovery Pilot, to be managed by the Environment Agency, which supports government’s Net Zero and sustainable farming ambitions. Many of our lowland peatlands have historically been drained of water to create drier soils suitable for agricultural use and food production.

The Pilot will fund investigations into more sustainable management of lowland agricultural peat, facilitating local collaboration and enabling the creation of costed water management plans for lowland peat areas in England. Successful projects will drive advancements in our understanding of the lowland peat water challenge to transform the way we use water in England’s lowland regions.

Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said:

Peat and peat soils are a great national asset, and better management can achieve so much to tackle climate change, boost biodiversity and support sustainable agriculture. Our discovery pilot is the chance for farmers and land managers to understand how changing the water levels in their lowland peat soils could create new opportunities for long-term sustainable agriculture. I urge anyone working with lowland peat who is interested to get in touch and apply.

In June, Government announced a package of measures and investment to reduce carbon emissions across lowland peat and a commitment to take forward action on the 14 recommendations for sustainable peatland management as put forward by Robert Caudwell, Chair of the Lowland Agricultural Peat Task Force.

The measures government is taking will also improve resilience to drought and safeguard productive farming on some of our most valuable agricultural land, supporting our rural economy and food producers.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Restoration grants:

Full list of projects:
1. Norfolk – The Buttle Marshes Restoration project led by the Broads Authority will restore 26 hectares of peatland which has been historically drained for arable cultivation.
2. Dorset – The Dorset Peat Partnership will restore 170 hectares of mire and fen habitat under restoration across 16 sites within the Dorset Heaths. The sites are popular with walkers, families and community groups and the project will use engagement opportunities to promote sustainable recreation and conservation.
3. Durham – This project led by Durham County Council and the North Pennines AONB (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) partnership will extend previous restoration and discovery projects supporting the Great North Bog. Restoration is now planned across an additional 1,127 hectares of degraded blanket bog to support biodiversity in Yorkshire and the North Pennines. The project will also engage sources of private finance to support the long-term success of peatland restoration in the area.
4. Somerset – This project will support the restoration and rewetting of 35 hectares of lowland fen peat at RSPB’s Greylake Reserve, building on findings from the Somerset Peat Partnership-led discovery grant. This project will join an adjacent paludiculture fund trial, creating a mosaic of functioning peatland habitat within the Somerset Wetland ‘super’ National Nature Reserve, which supports rare plants such as the Round-leaved Sundew.
5. North Yorkshire – The ‘Moor to Restore’ project create partnerships in the local area and will see over 1,100 hectares of upland bog restored in the North York Moors National Park.
6. Peak District – The Peak District National Authority will work with the ‘Moors for Climate’ partnership restoring peatlands across three sites in the Peak District National Park. The partnership will engage volunteers who will plant species such as sphagnum moss to improve water quality, and community groups will also learn about moorland fire prevention.
7. Peak District – based at Park Hall and Kinder Scout, this project will see the National Trust, funded in part by private finance from United Utilities, restore over 420 hectares of degraded blanket bog.
8. Lincolnshire – The Fens East Peat Partnership will restore over 1,300 hectares of peatland in the Fens East, which includes agricultural peatlands and landscapes already being restored. The partnership will share knowledge and expertise with practitioners facing similar challenges across peatland landscapes.
9. Lincolnshire – Project in the Humberhead Levels area will see the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust restore relic raised bogs which have historically been drained for agriculture or for fuel. Restoration activities will see action to control scrub and improve water level management to improve the landscape. Community events and training days will also be delivered to engage local landowners in peat restoration.
10. Lancashire – The Red Rose Project will restore over 400 hectares of degraded lowland and upland peatlands within the Lancashire area, building on the Peatland Discovery Grants which enabled restoration plans to be developed as a baseline for data collection and landowner engagement.
11. Lancashire – The Holcombe Moor project will restore 135 hectares of peatland using innovative techniques to raise the water levels on blanket bog which has degraded due to industrial pollution, overgrazing and wildfire. The location of the site near to the industrial heartlands of Greater Manchester and Lancashire will provide opportunities for local people to take part in guided walks and connect with nature on their doorsteps.
12. Cumbria – Partnership between the National Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will restore over 1370 hectares of peatlands across the uplands of Cumbria and the Forest of Bowland.
August 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The DPRK’s failed launch of a military reconnaissance satellite on 24 August is yet another grave violation of UN Security Council resolutions – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 August 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on North Korea.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing. I welcome the participation of the representatives of the Republic of Korea, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, at this meeting.

The DPRK made yet another failed launch of a military reconnaissance satellite. It triggered Japan’s local alert system in Okinawa.

This was yet another grave violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and a brazen effort to further expand the DPRK’s military programme. The DPRK have said they will try again.

Claims that so-called ‘provocations’, or rather, legitimate and transparently-declared military exercises, caused these launches, are baseless. The DPRK is not reacting: this is part of a long-established, clearly-defined plan that has required extensive scientific and technological investment.

Kim Jong Un said it himself in January this year: the National Aerospace Development Administration will launch the first military satellite at the earliest date possible by pushing ahead with the full preparation for a reconnaissance satellite and its vehicle, a major task to boost the political, ideological, military and technical strength of his army.

Colleagues, the Council must take action.

All of us here have signed, ratified and support the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

All of us should be committed to the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. We have a responsibility to uphold these obligations.

Our words and deeds matter. They are the message we convey to the world about our commitment to preventing nuclear non-proliferation globally. We noted the presence of permanent members, including the defence minister, at a DPRK weapons exhibition, with intercontinental ballistic missiles on display. Interactions such as these signal support for UN-sanctioned WMD programmes.

The United Kingdom urges the DPRK to cease these launches, to return to dialogue and to take credible steps towards denuclearisation and peace on the Korean Peninsula. We hope their presence at this meeting is a step forward in this regard.

The biggest victims of the DPRK’s military programme are the North Korean people, as resources are diverted away from their basic economic needs. DPRK should reopen its borders and engage the UN.

I also remind all UN Member States of their obligation to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions, including sanctions on the DPRK.

I call on all members of this Council to reiterate their condemnation of the DPRK’s illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, in line with their responsibilities as UN Member States and signatories to the NPT.

August 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UN and international coordination is key to countering terrorism – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 August 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

Thank you, President.

I thank Under Secretary General Voronkov and Executive Director Gherman for their briefings and for the work of the monitoring team in producing the report.

I thank Ms Khalaf for her briefing today. Her harrowing account of the atrocities Daesh committed serves as a reminder of the lifelong impact of these crimes, and the poisonous ideology we are fighting. All survivors of gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence, including Yezidis and other communities in Iraq, deserve to see justice delivered.

We support UNITAD and Iraq in pursuing accountability for Daesh perpetrators, and we look forward to renewing UNITAD’s mandate next month to continue this important work.

Daesh continues to suffer blows to their campaign, including the death of leader Abu Husaini al-Qurashi in April. However, the threat is becoming less predictable, harder to detect, and harder to investigate. We must therefore keep up the pressure. A resurgent Daesh core in Syria and Iraq remains a real risk. IDP [Internally Displaced People] camps provide a fertile ground for radicalisation in which Daesh can recruit and operate. In Al-Hawl camp the UK is focusing our efforts on improving the situation through humanitarian assistance, by responding to gender-based violence and providing child protection.

As we heard today, ISKP [Islamic State – Khorasan Province] continues to show it has the capacity to carry out high-profile attacks on civilian and international targets inside Afghanistan and encourage attacks abroad. Earlier this year, the United Kingdom convened the inaugural ISKP Diplomatic Grouping that saw 19 countries come together and agree to intensify and coordinate our response to counter the threat from ISKP.

Last month the UK published a refresh of our Counter Terrorism Strategy – CONTEST – to ensure we remain agile in the face of an evolving threat and aligned with our international allies.

In Africa, Daesh is expanding fast and we urge the international community to step up our efforts.

We must address the root causes that are driving conflict in the region and enabling the expansion of Violent Extremist Organisations.

In the Sahel, the UK provides financial support to the UN’s regional stabilisation facility for the Lake Chad basin, an initiative that will support local communities.

Finally, President, the UN plays a key role in the fight against terrorism and the UK welcomed the adoption of the 8th Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.

International coordination, with a meaningful role for civil society, remains essential for our work.

August 29, 2023